Downgrading packages

Before downgrading a single or multiple packages, consider why you wish to do so. If it is due to a bug, search the bug tracker for existing tasks. If there is none, add a new task; it is better to correct bugs, or at least warn other users of possible issues.

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Return to an earlier package version

Using the pacman cache

If a package was installed at an earlier stage, and the pacman cache was not cleaned, install an earlier version from /var/cache/pacman/pkg/.

This process will remove the current package and install the older version. Dependency changes will be handled, but pacman will not handle version conflicts. If a library or other package needs to be downgraded with the packages, please be aware that you will have to downgrade this package yourself as well.

# pacman -U /var/cache/pacman/pkg/package-old_version.pkg.tar.xz

Once the package is reverted, temporarily add it to the IgnorePkg section of pacman.conf, until the difficulty with the updated package is resolved.

Downgrading the kernel

In case of issue with a new kernel, the Linux packages can be downgraded to the last working ones #Using the pacman cache. Go into the directory /var/cache/pacman/pkg and downgrade at least linux, linux-headers and any kernel modules. For example:

Tip: If you are unable to boot after a kernel update, you can downgrade the kernel chrooting into the system. Boot using an Arch Linux USB flash installation media and mount the partition where your system is installed to /mnt. If you have /boot or /var on separate partitions, also mount them to /mnt (e.g. mount /dev/sdc3 /mnt/boot). Then chroot into the system using:

# arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash

Now you can go into the pacman cache directory and downgrade the Linux packages using the command indicated above. Once done, exit the chroot (with exit) and reboot.

Arch Linux Archive

Rebuild the package

If the package is unavailable, find the correct PKGBUILD and rebuild it with makepkg.

For packages from the official repositories, retrieve the PKGBUILD with ABS and change the software version. Alternatively, find the package on the Packages website, click "View Changes", and navigate to the desired version. The files are available through a .tar.gz snapshot, and via the Tree view.